Piece One

Kagome walked down the street with Yuka, Eri, Ayumi, and Hojo.  The three girls had begged her to go out to the movies with them.  They had failed to tell her about inviting Hojo as well.

She sighed and thought about how much simpler her life was now.  She was eighteen and had finished high school two weeks ago.  She didn't need to worry about school anymore.  And she wasn't the only one who was happy about it.

She smiled as she thought about him, about Inuyasha.  It had been two months since he asked her to be his mate.  Two months since she had agreed. 

He was coming to get her tomorrow.  She had been in the present for three days to visit with her family.  He let her come back without fighting about it anymore. 

Ever since they had killed Naraku he was much calmer.  They still had to find the jewel shards though.  She thought with a bit of guilt.  She had managed to shatter the dumb thing again, and it had happened while she was purifying the evil bastard right down to the cellular level.

The amazing thing was that Inuyasha hadn't been mad at her.  He had just laughed and said it made sure she didn't wander off for long.

She had called him a baka and said she would have stayed anyway.

He said he knew and pulled her into his arms.

They got everyone back to Keade's where Shippo was waiting.  And though everyone had been wounded they were all alive and relatively well.

She smiled to herself at the thought of her son and how happy he had been to see them all safe.

"Hey Kagome," Eri called to her, "You spacing out over there or what?"

"Sorry," she shook her head a little, "I was just thinking is all."

"Hey," Ayumi hollered, "let's go to the park."  She was pointing up the block.  "We still have an hour before dark."

They quickly agreed and once there took over some tables.  Kagome, Eri, and Ayumi sat on top of one, Hojo, and Yuka on one across a small patch of grass, and between Kagome's table and the street.

As she curled her legs under her Kagome was glad that she had worn jeans today.  She would've gotten splinters for sure if she'd been wearing a skirt.

As the conversation progressed Kagome kept spacing out.  Her eyes glazed as she gazed internally as she thought of her mate.  She missed him so much and she'd be very glad to see him tomorrow.

Her girl friends noticed her glazed eyes and tried to keep her interested.  They wondered what she was thinking about.  Hojo on the other hand was totally oblivious. 

They had been there nearly half an hour when Kagome smiled.  It was the most radiant smile any of them had ever seen her give.  They all assumed it was aimed at Hojo.  Who thought he had to of said something brilliant and finally earned her attention.

When she jumped off the table they all expected her to go to him.  They were surprised when she dodged the table.  They were more surprised at the man she ran towards.

Standing not twenty feet behind Hojo was a tall man.  A tall man, who had long silver hair, was dressed in black jeans, a red silk shirt, and ankle length black coat.

They were plain shocked when Kagome, with a happy cry, lunched herself at him.

"Inuyasha!"

With a smirk he effortlessly caught the flying woman; she wrapped her legs around his lean waist, and laughed as her arms went around his neck.

"Miss me," his voice was deep and warm with a slight growl.

She pulled back and looked into his gorgeous amber eyes.

"Of course I missed you.  It's been three days and I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow."

He pulled up on her waist and she let her legs fall.  He quickly swept his arm under them and walked toward the third table in the grouping.

"Keh, I finished my business with Totosi a day sooner than I thought."  He sat down with her in his lap.  "Besides I know Souta will want me to play those damn video games with him."

"Well he does love you."

"Keh, I know.  Don't understand it though.  I'm just an asshole."

"You are not!"  She exclaimed.  "You protect us and provide for us.  You're a good friend, no, a good brother to Sango and Miroku, and a wonderful papa to Shippo."

"Damn bouzo," he shook his head.  "The runt could've done better than me for a dad."

  "No he couldn't and he doesn't want to.  You avenged his father and saved his life.  No matter how much you two fight he loves you.  And you know it."

"Keh, I know."

Her friends sat speechless watching and listening to the couple.  The girls were pretty sure that this was the guy that Kagome used to talk about.  Even though she hadn't said anything about him for awhile, but they had no clue as to who the other people they were talking about were.  They were snapped out of their stupor by Hojo standing.

"Higurashi, who is this man, and why are you so familiar with him?" his voice was unsteady and a bit angry. 

"Oh," she gasped, "I'm sorry everyone.  Inuyasha this is Eri, Yuka, Ayumi, and Hojo."  She pointed to each person in order. 

He gave each of the girls a brief nod.  Hojo received a glare.

"Everyone this is Inuyasha," she finished.

"Why are in his lap?"  Hojo demanded.  "Why did you leap on him and smile like that for him?  That should have been my smile."  He yelled.

"The fuck is should be!  That's mine just like Kagome's mine."  He tightened his arms around her.  "She's in my lap because this is where I want her.  She jumped on me because she missed me, or are you fuck'n deaf and didn't hear her say so.  She smiles like that for me because she loves me."  He smirked, showing a bit of fang.

"What do you mean yours?!  I've been chasing her for three years."  His face was very red at this point.

"That may be, but she's spent most of that time with me, not you.  So back the fuck off!"  He growled flashing his fangs.

Kagome tugged on his hair and he calmed down a bit. 

"Inuyasha be nice."

"No fucking way.  Stupid human has no idea.  You're mine.  You have been since you unbound me from that fucking tree."

"I know."

"You don't own her!"  Hojo was shaking now.

"The hell I don't," he pulled her collar over a bit exposing an intricate mark on her shoulder.  "This says that I do."  He leaned down and nuzzled it making her shiver.

Hojo took a step back and gasped.

"A youkai mating mark," he choked out.

"Damn straight, did you just now get that I'm not human?  You really are dense."

The girls truly looked at him for the first time.  In seconds they noticed the claws, the fangs, and the slit pupils of his amber eyes.

He lifted Kagome out of his lap and set her next to him on the table.  Then he rose to his full height.  At six-two he towered over Hojo's five eight. 

Inuyasha lifted his head and drew a deep breath in through his nose.  He snarled.  Kagome jumped off the table at the sound.  She knew that growl it meant trouble was coming.

"How big is this park?"  Inuyasha asked.

"Several acres and it's backed up to the shrine's forest," she answered her mate.

"Good," he turned to her.  "Do you have your bow?"

"I have my collapsible one in my bag," she pointed to a black back pack lying on the table. 

"We've got company coming wench.  Get these idiots into the trees."

"Okay," she grabbed her bag, took hold of Ayumi's hand, and ran toward the trees.  Eri, Yuka, and Hojo quickly followed.  Inuyasha was right behind them.

They quickly found a small defensible clearing.  Kagome pushed her friends behind her and pulled the folded bow from her bag.  With a smooth flick of her wrist and a click it was ready to be strung.  As she put the string in place she looked to her mate.

"What kind and how many?" 

Raising his head he scented the air again.

"Bear, there's four of ‘em."  He pulled his coat off revealing the sword at his hip.  "Can't fight in that damn thing, or hear with this on," he pulled the bandana off of his head. 

The girls stared at his ears as they swiveled.

"Filthy hanyou," Hojo gasped.

Kagome spun on him.

"He is not!"  She stomped up to the dense boy.  "How do you know so much about youkai that you knew what my mark was?"

"My Grandmother was paranoid and made sure that I knew the signs.  I never believed her till now though."  He looked at Inuyasha, shuttered, and looked back to Kagome.  "How could you let that filthy animal touch you?"  His voice was filled with revulsion.

Kagome's eyes sparked blue as her power flared in anger.  He didn't see her move as she slapped him, hard.  He looked up at her from where he lay on the ground.  He held his hand to his quickly bruising cheek.

"You will never speak about my mate again," she snarled between clenched teeth, "or to me.  You have no idea what you are talking about.  Inuyasha is not an animal.  He's a better man than you could ever hope to be."  With a last withering glare at the stunned young man she turned back to her mate, bow in hand. 

When she reached him, she looked up into his eyes, and he laid a clawed hand on her cheek.

"I may protect your body," his voice was a little gruff, "but you protect my soul."  He leaned down and kissed her tenderly.  She spoke when he pulled away.

"I won't allow anyone to hurt you again with their stupid prejudices."  There was a hint of steel in her tone.  "Yes you're gruff, foul mouthed, and hard headed, but you are more than that too.  You're strong, brave, caring, and protective.  You're a wonderful pack leader, brother, mate, and father."  She wrapped her arms around him pressing her bow against his back, and laid her cheek against his chest.  "I love you, my hanyou."  He chuckled and gave her a quick hug.

"I love you too wench.  Now let's get rid of these bastards so we can go home."  She nodded at his words and stepped back.

As they stepped apart four large men walked into the clearing. 

"We heard rumors that a hanyou had taken over this territory."  The largest of them spoke.  "I didn't believe it till now though."  He scented the air and grinned evilly.  "It looks like you were dumb enough to take a weak human as your bitch.  This is going to be fun."  He motioned for his friends to move forward.  "First we'll kill you and then we'll play with her."

"YOU WON'T TOUCH HER!"  Inuyasha's vicious snarl flowed across the clearing.  "Kagome get a barrier up, stay behind it, keep yourself and these fools safe.  I'll be finished with the bastards in a minute."  She gave a nod and backed up till she stood in front of her friends.

She held her hands up in front of her and lowered her head.  Suddenly a wall of transparent shimmering blue surrounded them.  She then spun her bow and dropping to one knee stabbed the end into the earth anchoring the barrier.

Inuyasha stalked forward.  His eyes were flickering red and his strips could barely be seen.

"Oh look the little hanyou is all pissed off," laughed one of the bears.  "He thinks he's scary.  There hasn't been any hanyou worth being scared of for hundreds of years."

Inuyasha had an idea of how to scare these guys.

"You ever here about Naraku?"  His voice was low and growling.

"Yeah," the bear standing in the back said.  "He was a hanyou that nearly took over the world."  They still weren't taking Inuyasha seriously as they turned to each other.

"I'd sure hate to tangle with the guy who took him out."  The leader quipped.

"You're about to," his voice was cold and he was on them before they finished turning.

The leader and his second managed to transform before he killed them.  The leader lay wheezing as his lungs filled with blood.

"You truly are him, you're Inuyasha," he coughed up blood.

"Yeah, what of it," he shook blood from his claws.

"I'm sorry My Lord for the insult.  It is an honor to be slain by your mighty hand."  With that he died leaving a momentarily confused hanyou standing next to him.

The wheels turned in his head and suddenly he realized that he must still be alive in this time.  It was a comforting thought.  He turned back to where his mate was standing and berating her friends.

"Would you all stop screaming!?"  She snapped.  "The bad guys are dead and everyone is okay.  So nock it the hell off!"  She whipped around, pulled her bow from the ground, and lowered the barrier.

"Ready," Inuyasha asked as he put his coat back on.

She lifted her bow and shot a bolt of pure energy at the bodies.  They disappeared in a flash of light and a cloud of ashes.  She turned and nodded.

"Yes, let's just go home," she suddenly sounded tired.  "All I want right now is to read a story to our son and climb into bed with you.  I can see Mama tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me," he crouched, she climbed on his back, and he leapt into the night.

Piece Two

Kagome sat on a stone bench near the back of Eri's big back yard.  There were hanging lanterns everywhere emitting a soft relaxing glow.  Her friends were standing nearby chatting and she was listening with half an ear.

She wished she had just stayed home tonight.  Coming to the party had been a mistake.  Yes it was nice to celebrate graduating high school, but she could have done it at home with her family and Inuyasha.

Inuyasha, she sighed as she thought about him.  She had asked him to come with her.  They had argued about it and she had come alone.  Mostly she had done it to make her friends happy.

So now she sat somewhere she didn't want to be, waiting.  Waiting for Hojo to show up and for her friends to push him at her as usual, she sighed again.  She pulled her knees up, laid her cheek on them, and listened to her friends talking.

"Kagome seems depressed," Yuka said whispering but not quietly enough.

"Yeah," Eri agreed, "do you think we should talk to her about it?"

"Not yet," Yuka shook her head.  "Let's see if Hojo can cheer her up.  I just saw him leave the house."

"Are you two ever going to get it that she doesn't like him?"  Ayumi asked rolling her eyes in exasperation.

"Why would you think that?"  Eri asked her shocked.

"Let's see," she wrapped a finger around her chin and looked pensive.  "Maybe because she always tried to tell him so, maybe because she always stood him up, and because she always gets this pained look on her face when he comes around.  It's like she wants to run away but is too polite to without a reason."  She looked at them out of the corner of her eye, glad to see that they looked a little sheepish.

"That may be," Yuka said, "but the fact is Hojo will be good for her, unlike that guy she still talks about now and then."

"She's told us so many bad things about him."  Eri added.

"That's because she's usually venting after they've had a fight," Ayumi informed them.  Kagome was grateful to Ayumi for sticking up for her.

"How would you know-" Eri was cut off by the crunch of footsteps in the gravel and a cheery voice.

"Hello everyone, it took me forever to find you."  Hojo said in that sickly sweet and cheery voice of his.

He'd been there for all of ten seconds and he was already giving Kagome a headache.

"You should see this weird guy that came in right behind me.  I've never seen anyone like him before."

"What did he look like," Ayumi asked.

Kagome just shook her head from where she sat in front of and a little to the left of their group.

"He's really tall, I'd say six-two maybe a bit more than that.  Wearing nice clothes, has funny colored eyes and long hair."

"Long hair isn't that weird."  Eri stated.

"It is when it's down to the guys' bottom."

"And sliver, look that's got to be him."  Ayumi interrupted.

They heard Kagome gasp and saw her lift her head.  Just as the silver haired guy walked out of the house the wind ruffled her hair and his head snapped in her direction.  He closed his eyes for a second and drew in a deep breath.

They watched as Kagome slowly stood and turned toward him, and as he strode across the yard.  He moved, all at once, with an inherit grace, and the sheer power of a true predator.

"I didn't know guys could really walk like that," Eri said in awe.

"Inuyasha," his name slid past Kagome's lips as she too watched him.  He was dressed in dark tight jeans and a loose, deep red, button down, silk shirt with the three top buttons undone. 

He stopped in front of her and caressed her cheek with his knuckles.

"You came," she said with a smile on her lips.

"Keh, of course I did.  Can't leave you alone for too long, you get into too much trouble without me to watch you, wench."

She laughed at his reasoning and saw the flick of an ear under the black bandana he wore.

"How much trouble could I get into here, with my friends?"  She asked.

"A lot," he growled as his arm wrapped around her.  "Wearing shit like that some male could just decide you were irresistible."  He looked down at her tight jeans and low cut short tank top.

"Oh like you do, Inuyasha?"  She slid her hands up his biceps. 

Her friends and Hojo stood there stunned watching the couple.

"Damn straight.  Kami, Kagome you make me crazy."  His voice was deep, rough, and edged with passion.  "I want to bite you, and mark you again, that's how crazy you make me."  Her smile was radiant.

"It's nice to know you feel that way," her hands came to rest on his broad shoulders.  "You make me crazy too you know."  She lifted her head higher.

"I know I can make you scream," his voice was husky as he nuzzled the column of her throat.

"Excuse me who are you and why are you touching my girl?"  Hojo asked as he stepped forward and reached for Kagome's arm.

Before anyone could blink Inuyasha's hand was around the fool's throat and his feet were off the ground.  Hojo grabbed the hanyou's wrist and kicked his feet trying to get lose.  His wide brown eyes met burning amber and he knew what fear truly was.

"You dare to touch her you bastard and I'll make you wish for death," his voice was a deep rumbling snarl through clenched teeth.  "You understand," he gave the boy a sharp shake.

Hojo nodded the little he could and felt his feet hit the ground, then his ass, and then the rush of air into his aching lungs.

Kagome shook her head and laid her hand on her growling mate's arm.

"Easy Inuyasha," her voice was quiet and soothing.  He turned to her and pulled her to him.

"You're MINE!"  He growled and covered her mouth with his own.  She lifted herself onto her toes and buried her hands in his hair.

"Of course I am, my love," she gasped when he released her, "I always have been.  Please take me home, I'm tired and want to go to bed with you.  I'm sorry for fighting with you earlier."

"You're forgiven wench," he had a cocky, sexy smirk on his face, "you always are."  She gave him a brilliant smile then laid her head against his chest as she yawned.  "Alright it's off to bed for you," he dipped down and swept her into his arms, "there will be enough time to celebrate tomorrow."  He nuzzled her hair and walked away.

They left three out of the group of four standing there stunned.  The fourth, the girl with the wavy hair, was dancing for joy in her mind, glad that her friend was happy at last.

Piece Three

Why was it always her?  It never failed, every time things went wrong, it was always her stuck right in the middle.  Hadn't she been kidnapped and held hostage enough?

Okay so she hadn't technically been kidnapped this time but so freaking what.  Didn't having your graduation party plans crashed by assholes with guns count?  Ug, she was so tired of this, and she knew Inuyasha was going to have a total fit.  She also knew that this needed to be taken care of before the cops were called.

She so didn't want to answer questions about her rampaging hanyou, after he tore through them to get to her.

As she looked around the gym assessing her options she really wished she hadn't let Eri drag her into this little project.  Honestly why did they have to be the ones to plan this stupid thing.  She sighed and patted her whimpering friends.  And quickly came to the conclusion there was nothing she could do to get eight teenagers past six armed men.

She looked at the group of four boys huddled together about ten feet away, Hojo in the midst of them.  She sighed again; they would never learn that she didn't care about him.  She shook her head and noticed that the boys, though sitting close together, weren't actually touching each other.  Whereas she had Ayumi pressed against one side, Yuka the other, and Eri was nearly in her lap.

"How long are they going to keep us here?"  Eri whispered.

"They're going to wait till someone comes looking for us then make any demands."  Kagome answered her.

"How do you know that?"  Yuka asked.

"I overheard them talking."

"How, they're all over there?"  Ayumi looked at where their captors were standing thirty feet away.

"I've got really good hearing.  And I pay attention."

"How can you be so calm?"  Eri's voice trembled and she curled against Kagome's leg tighter.  She ran her fingers through her scared friend's hair.

"This isn't the first time I've been in this situation.  And frankly I'm getting sick and freaking tired of it." 

As they all looked at her with wide eyes she put her hand under the neck of her shirt.  She really hated pulling Inuyasha into this.  He was supposed to be resting.  They had had a rough couple of days.  But she knew he would be helping her grandpa around the shrine.  So he most likely needed a break and to blow off steam.  She just hoped he didn't thrash the school.

She ran her fingers over the mark on her shoulder.  The first thing she sent was frustration.  She got a questioning feeling back.  It took her a couple of minutes but she got through to him that, yes she was in trouble, no she wasn't hurt, and she was ticked off. 

She knew he was worried because she was in danger, yet also relieved that she was okay.  She was really glad the girls had stayed quiet.  It was hard to get things across clearly through feeling alone.

As she felt her mate get closer she sighed, again, and leaned against the wall. 

"Kagome," Ayumi's questioning whisper caused her to open one eye.

"Don't worry help is coming."

"How do you know," she patted Yuka's hand.

"Maybe one day I'll explain it.  Just trust me, okay?"

"Okay."  And they all pressed closer, if that was possible.

She knew Inuyasha was practically flying to get to her it would be interesting when he did.  These guys were toast.

"You girl come here."  The lead guy shouted.

She opened one sleepy eye.

"Are you talking to me," she asked him.

"Yeah, you all calm and relaxed, come here."  He took a few steps forward.

She slowly stood and disengaged herself from her clinging friends.  After brushing off her jeans she took a step.

"Kagome don't," Yuka pleaded.

"Don't worry everything will be fine, I promise," she gave them a bright smile and continued her way to the demanding jerk.

"You called," her tone was lazy.  He couldn't believe her nerve.

"Don't you even have sense enough to be scared?"

"Scared of what, a bunch of bullies with guns, I've seen things a lot scarier then you guys."

"Really," her sarcasm was pissing him off. 

She looked at him like he was dirt.

"I've seen things that would make you piss yourself in fear."

Her head snapped to the side when his hand connected with her cheek.  Her friends gasped and the boys wished they had her guts. 

Kagome looked back at the fool and spat blood onto the floor just as she felt Inuyasha outside the door.

"You'll regret that," she turned and ran to her friends.  She knew what was coming. 

Just as the man was going after her the doors were ripped from the hinges.

And there stood her snarling Hanyou, wearing only his hakama and his beads, and sporting several half healed wounds from two days before.

He took a deep breath as he padded in on silent feet.

"I smell your blood wench, you alright," his voice was a menacing growl.

"I'm fine my love.  Would you take care of these guys?  I'm tired of playing and want to go home."

"Gladly," his knuckles cracked as he looked at the men.

"Who the hell are you?"  The leader asked.

 "Someone you don't want to know."  He surged forward.

The first mistake they made, they didn't spread out, the second they didn't even try to run.

Two pulled their guns before he was in the middle of them.  He tore the weapons from their hands before they knew what happened.  He knocked their heads together dropping them where they stood.  The next three he took out with a few well placed punches.  Next he had the leader off his feet by the throat.

"You're lucky I don't gut you, bastard," he snarled, "for striking my mate."  He pressed harder digging his claws in a bit.  He kept his hold until the man passed out then dropped him.

Kagome stood as he came towards her.

"Damn it Kagome can't you stay out of trouble?"  His angry voice reverberated through the gym.

"What would be the fun in that?  Of course I can stay out of trouble it just seems to find me."  She looked up at him as he stepped close to her, "though I am getting really tired of the whole kidnapping and hostage bit.  Why is it always me?"

"You're a tempting target wench."  He smirked at her.

"Where are your juban and haori?"

"Your mother was changing my bandages when you called.  I didn't take the time to grab them."

"Or to get your bandages replaced either."

"No way," he brushed her cheek with the backs of his fingers.  "You needed me; there was no way in hell I was going to wait."

"You're still healing.  I would have been fine for another five minutes."

"Don't give a damn," he hooked his finger under her chin, lifted her face, and kissed her soundly.

When she pulled back for air she smiled at him.

"Come over here and let me see if you re-opened anything.  Then I'll bandage you back up and we can go."  She slipped her small hand into his large one.

"Keh, I'll be fine till we get back."

"Inuyasha," at her tone and glare he flinched and buried his ears deeper into his hair.  "You're not going to carry me home without your wounds attended to.  Now stop being stubborn."

"Keh."

She ignored the shocked looks her friends sported as she headed for her bag.  She was really glad that she had listened to her gut this morning and put a smaller first aid kit into it.

"Alright arms up," she said as she let go of him and reached for the purple back pack.

He snorted as he lifted his arms and rested them on top of his head.

"Just make it quick wench, I want to get back, I'm hungry, the old man still needs my damn help, and Souta wants me to play that veedo game with him."

"It's video Inuyasha."

"Keh whatever, I hate it, my claws get in the way of pushing the buttons, so the kid always wins."

 "You like spending time with him," she ran her hands over his belly and stepped to his side.  "I knew it, you're bleeding again," she shook her head.  "I wish you would be a bit more careful."  She started wrapping a long white bandage around him.

He stood there silent as she wrapped and her friends looked on in awe.  This had to be the guy she always talked about.  They had always wondered what he looked like.   Whenever they had asked she always said he was tall with long hair.  They were not prepared for the reality, the reality of ass length silver hair on a guy more than six feet tall with fiery amber eyes.

They weren't prepared for the sheer violence he was capable of inflicting so quickly, nor with the fact that Kagome could make him flinch with a look. 

They were snapped out of their musings at the sound of soft footsteps and a vicious snarl from Inuyasha.

"I'm sorry," Hojo gasped as he took a step back. 

The hanyou glared at him.

"Stay back," he growled as Kagome tied his bandage.

"I just wished to see if Higurashi needed any help."

"Not likely," he took a deep breath and snarled again.  "You're that little bastard who won't take a fucking hint."

"Whatever do you mean?"  His eyebrows went up along with his voice.

"You keep chasing my mate, giving her gifts, and trying to take her places."

"Mate," he was confused.

"Inuyasha, don't fight with Hojo, he's a nice boy who's my friend.  Also I think his mother would like him to come home in one piece."

"I'll leave him alone as long as he backs off."  He dropped his arms and rolled his shoulders.

"Can you move alright?  I had to wrap you pretty tightly to stop the bleeding."

"Keh, it's fine, you always get it right."

"Thank you," she gave him a smile than looked around.  "Hey Hojo where'd your friends go," the other boys were missing.

"They ran off while I was still strangling that bastard."  Inuyasha turned and looked at the unconscious men.  "We'll tie these morons up and leave'm for someone to find. "

"You can't do that," Hojo said.  "We have to call the police and everyone has to tell them what happened."

"Fuck that, I don't answer to anyone, ‘cept Kagome.  Not even to my high and mighty, bastard brother."  She laid her hand on his arm.

"Calm down Inuyasha, besides you and Sesshoumaru haven't tried to kill each other in over a year."

"Keh, it's only cause he doesn't want me to cut off his other fucking arm."

"Stop it," she slapped his arm, "I think you're scaring them."  She looked at her wide eyed friends.

"Don't care," his brow furrowed, "you got a bandana in that pack of yours?"

"No," she shook her head, "I don't, why?"

"My head is starting to fucking hurt.  I didn't grab the damn hat before I left."

She looked at her shocked but quiet friends, made a decision, and laid her hand on his arm.

"They've handled everything really well so far.  I think we can trust them a little further."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Good, keeping them pinned like that hurts," his ears lifted out of his thick mane and he shook his head.

"Poor baby, let me rub them for you."  She stepped in front of him and raised her arms.

"Keh," he dropped his head and she ran her fingers into his hair to the base of his ears.

After a full minute of this Yuka finally broke.

"Kagome what's going on?  And why does he have dog ears?"  Her voice was a little shrill.  Inuyasha flinched at the sharp sound.

"Not so loud, it hurts his ears," her hands had stilled.  He pushed against her.

"Don't stop wench," as her fingers moved again a contented rumble rose from his chest.

"Which question should I answer first?"

"I want to know about his ears too."  Ayumi said.

"Well," she gently tweaked an ear tip, "he has these cute ears because he's an Inu Hanyou."  He jerked away.

"I'm not cute!"  He backed up.  "There isn't anything cute about them, about me.  All my stupid ears show is I'm a worthless half-breed."

"Inuyasha," her voice was low, angry, and a bit sad.  His ears went back at the sound.  "We've talked about this.  You're not worthless."  She took a step toward him.  "You're strong, brave, incredibly reckless, over protective, and jealous.  You're also sweet, lovable, and beautiful.  You protect us and provide for us even at your own expense."  She laid her finger tips on his jaw.  "You've shed blood for me and nearly given your life for me."  She grabbed his hair and pulled him down forcing him to meet her eyes.  "You are not worthless; if you were I wouldn't have taken that arrow in the back for you or become your mate.  My world revolves around you, my hanyou.  I love you."  She pushed up on her toes and kissed him.

With a growl he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet.

"I don't deserve you, but I'm a selfish bastard and I'm keeping you."  She laughed and smiled at him.

"Let's finish up here my love.  Then we'll take my confused friends back to Mama's and explain everything."

"Keh, fine, as long as the idiot over there understands that you're mine," he nuzzled her neck.

"I'm sure he does," she hugged him tightly.

It was a few hours later when the janitor discovered the men, hanging from the gym rafters in a net.  Lying in a pile on the floor below them where their guns.  Next to the weapons was a note.  It wasn't signed.  It explained how the writer had come across the men outside while they were plotting, and had resolved the matter.  They also apologized for the door.